(verbatim from youtube) From Pat Fish: This gig is from the 12 Bar Club in London's "Tin Pan Alley", Denmark Street in the West End on Thursday 11th September 1997. Max and I booked it as a warm-up for the trip to Seattle and San Francisco. It was the first time that we had played a set together in public since 1985. You can kind of tell; both players are on their best behaviour. 🙂

I see no one's given any feedback on Thursday's 12 Bar Club gig. Well, what can I say ? Pat & Max were nothing short of excellent. Anyone going to S.F. is certainly in for a treat.

'Syd' Meats, Southampton's Leading Weird Bloke "Quantity has a quality all of its own" - Lenin.

I was there too: Pat and Max were great, not taking it too seriously at all ('Drink' was particularly silly), enjoying every moment of it. Max was in fine and distinctive voice, and as nimble fingered as ever. Apart from that, I don't want to give too much away, but I should think those of you lucky enough to be as the All American Music Hall (or whatever) will be treated to many cuts from the Bath of Bacon, and the Scandal in Bohemia (no Human Jungle, but I didn't notice its absence until I got home).

Robyn Hitchcock was later sighted skulking in the toilets, looking grizzled and misanthropic. I suspect the secret of Pat's eternal youth involves some sort of Picture of Dorian Grey arrangement. Anyway, enough of these ramblings: "enjoy", as I believe they say in America.

Just got back from my European trip, which included the 12 Bar show, my first JB concert. Thouroughly enjoyed it. Bath of Bacon & Scandal in Bohemia predate my collection, so a good chunk of the material was new to me, but a lot of fun. Max has a kind of interesting expression when he plays, sort of an amused 'I knew that was going to happen' look. And I agree with the Dorian Grey comment previously posted.

Incredibly small room - I've never seen a set list taped to the front of the balcony before! We were close enough to the stage that when Pat introduced a song about 'small household pets' and I said to my non-JB familiar girlfriend, 'Domestic Animal', Pat looked up and said 'not that one'.

Snared Pat for a few seconds after the encore and gave him a couple of Fishirts I'd brought - T-shirts a friend of mine makes, one of a kind prints using real (not live) fish, which he graciously accepted.

I love seeing music in London. Also caught John Otway at the Weavers just before we left - hadn't seen him since '84, but he's as good as ever, and has really developed as a comedian - the talk side of his show is very good without being too polished. Believe my friend was actually much more taken with John than with the Butcher. Am now the proud owner of the Really Free 20th anniversary of the hit t-shirt.

Looking forward to the news from the front after the S.F. show.